Sugar packing and boxing machine



R. LABORDA.

SUGAR PACKING AND BOXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR, 30, I920.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

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SUGAR PACKING AND BOXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.30 I920- Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

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JIWIW R. LABORDA.

SUGAR PACKING AND BOXING MACHINE. I

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1920.

1,367,821. Patented Feb. 8,1921.

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i W MM atfoznugs R. LABORDA.

SUGAR PACKING AND BOXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1920.

Patented Feb. 8,1921.

4 SHEETSSHEE1 4 age attoz new UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD LABORDA, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN D. SPRECKLES, JR., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SUGAR PACKING AND BOXING MACHINE.v

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

T 0 all 1072 cm it may concern:

Be it known that I. RICHARD LABORDA, a subject of the King of Spain, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sugar Packing and Boxing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto certain new and useful improvements in a sugar packing and boxing machine and more particularly to improvements on the construction shown 1n application Serial No. 294,806 and filed May 5, 1919, by me as joint inventor with J. D. Spreckels, Jr.

The invention has for its objects to provide means to facilitate the stacking of the cubes of sugar in assembled form; improved means for supporting and transferring the assembled cubes to a receiving platform; other improved means for separating the stacked cubes into predetermined numbers or quantities for subsequent packing containers; and means for filling or packing the containers with the sugar content in an improved and eflicient manner.

The invention further resides in an improved machine which will be efiicient and thoroughly reliable in operation and by which the sugar can be packed in their containers very expeditiously and with a. minimum of handling.

It consists in the features of constructions and the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described in de tail and claimed succinctly, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmental top plan view of the improved machine;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof viewin the samefrom the left in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front side elevation of the machine as depicted in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on line 44 of Fig. 1 showing more clearly the means for filling the cartons or boxes with sugar;

Fig. 5 is ar end elevation of the machine.

as viewed from the right in Fig. 1 and depicting the manner of assembling and stacking the sugar cubes; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective of one of the sugar-assembling racks.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the main frame or supporting table which is provided in its longitudinal, side top frame members 2 with journal bearings for rotatably supporting the rollers 3 whereby the stacking platforms or trays, 4 can expeditiously and easily be shifted from the assembling end 5, of the machine, to the opposite endv where the stacked cubes are divided into groups of a predetermined size and fed or inserted into the empty cartons or other containers.

The assembling or stacking platform comprises a fiat plate or body having an upstanding front wall 6, which is equipped with a handle 7 to facilitate moving the platform along the roller top of the main frame, and a pair of upstanding stops or posts 8 spaced along its rear side edge to normally support the removable side wall 9 in its operative position.

When the sugar is deposited upon the platform 4, from the drying trays 13 the cubes are relatively spaced and require being moved close together or assembled. This is accomplished by means of a right angular rack-10 which has one arm placed across, the platform and the other arm extending and supported alongside the latter by a raised ledge and guide 12, as disclosed in Fig. 5, the platform having initially been set to engage the stops 12 disposed at the extreme end of the table. In practice, a tray 13, with the cubes of sugar thereon, is placed on the movable platform and the tablets or cubes are thenassembled. After assembling them by means of a rack 10 a second tray with its cubes are placed on the first layer and so on until the desired number of layers have been stacked. The trays 13 are then withdrawn, and in order to retain the underlying layers intact, during such withdrawal a stop 14 is pivoted to the end of the table for being swung upwardly across the underlying assemblingracks to prevent their accidental displacement.

As soon as the operator has filled or stacked one platform the latter is shifted along the table ready for replacing an empty platform, said table being sufliciently long to accommodate several platforms.

The operator at the left or carton-filling end of the machine pulls the fresh platform against a pair of stops 15 which position the same relative to the transfer and dividing platform 16. This latter is movable from the main structure, being supported on ,size cartons. thus left over, which will not move the wallthe upper end of a weighted lever 17 that is pivoted intermediately on a bracket 18 mounted on the horizontal frame member 19 of the main frame. A pedal or foot lever 20 is also pivoted to the frame and lfiiked to the lower, weighted end of the lever 17 whereby, upon pressing down on the foot lever, the operator is enabled to hold the platform 16 firmly against the table and platform 4 during the transfer of the stack from the latter platform to the former. Normally the weighted lever or arm 17 serves to hold the empty platform 16 against the table but when a stackof sugar is moved over onto'said platform the latter will be overbalanced and would move from the table were it not for-the pressure of the foot on pedal 20. v

The tablets or cubes of sugar are packed both lengthwise and crosswise according to the varying tastes of the different communities. Also the different sized containers 7 or cartons will require corresponding greater or lesser rows of sugar cubes to fill them. Therefore, to expedite the transfer of the required number of cubes certaingage means are provided, consisting of an adjustable wall21 connected by a toggle leverage 22 to a fixed bracket 23, and a pair of gage-stops 24 designed to limit the retrograde movement of the wall 21. These stops are removable and replaceable by others whena different number of rows of cubes are to be received on the tilting platform 16.

The functioning and operation of thisgaging device is as follows: The movable wall 21 is advanced to the stacked platform and then, by means of pusher bar 25 supported on the opposite side of the table in a bearing bracket 26 for sliding transversely of said table, the side wall 9 is caused to shove the stack of cubes, row after row, oflf onto the platform 16 which progressive movement pushes back the wall 21 until limited by engagement with the sto s 24. An overhanging handle 27 is earned by pusher bar to facilitate operating the same. In the present construction the tablets of sugar are laid lengthwise across the stacking platform or transversely of the table, there being fifteen tablets across',twenty-eight deep; in each layer and eight deep in the stack. Thus itmay happen that one onmore rows will be left over in the stack after removin the several equal divisions required for t epredetermined When there is a remainder 21 back against the gage stops, said wall is retained against the remaining rows of cubes, which have been moved onto platform 16, by tightenin the pivotal connection between the. togg e levers t oughthe instrumentality of wlng nut 28. hereafter,

a fresh platform of cubes issubstituted for the emptied one and the'remainder from the preceding stack supplemented by the freshstack to provide the required quantity, the

wing nut 28 having first been released.

Detachably mounted on the: delivery end of platform 16 is a carton-holder 29 the same being connected to the platform by the bolts stops are employed a corresponding trough is also substituted.

The transfer platform a lengthwise slot33 through which the shank 34 of afollower 35 operates, the lower end of the follower shank having apertures therethrough to guidingly receive the rigid horizontal rods 36 disposed beneath the plat form. Also beneath the latform is an end- 16 is. provided with a less chain or cable 37 which is supported for movement lengthwise of the slot by the sprockets or pulleys 38, the idler pulley being journaled in brackets 39 on the plate 31,

for which reasons a slot 40vis ,cut in said plate, and the drive pulley beingfixed on a shaft-41 which isjournaledin bearings 42.1 This cable is fixedly connected to the fol- 1 'lower base whereby upon travel of the ca-' ble the follower will also be moved to advance the sugar tablets across the guide trough 32 and into the carton, the'latter being slipped over the outer end of the trough. As the follower continues its movement the tablets are forced, with the carton, off the placed thereover.

The movement mittent, being actuated by lever 43 which is pivoted on the projecting end of shaft 41 and equip ed with a spring pressed pawl 44 normally eld in en agement with aratchet end of the trough and another carton is of the-follower is inter-' 45 fixed on the sha The operatinglever is weighted to stand normally erect in' which position the pawl is automatically lifted from the ratchet by engagementwith a trip 46,- wherebythe .follower will be free for manual shifting. A series of openings 47 in theadjacent side of the tilting platform' are designed to selectively receive a sto pin 48 with which thelever'contacts and is thereby limited to rotate the ratchet a predeterminable degree. Thus, this gaging f means determines the number of transverse rows to be inserted in a carton while the gage stops on the platform determine the number of longitudinal rows.

It is believedthe operation will be cleai from the foregoing detailed description, the Y stack being moved from the assemblingplatform onto the transferring platform which is then tilted to separate -or divide the stack.

1 se arated portion lengthwise between the si e wall of the trough and an upstanding The follower is then advanced to shift the rubber roller 49 which urges the tablets into a compact body just prior to entering the carton. The pressure roller 49 is journaled on an offset bracket 50 secured to the plate 31 of the carton holder.

The construction is very simple, easy of operation and efficient and practical throughout. The cartons are quickly filled, one swing of the lever advancing sufficient tablets to supply one container. The follower facing 51 is also replaceable by another of smaller or larger dimensions according to the working Surface of the transfer platform, said facing projecting sufficiently far to clear the end frame member of said platform to which the carton holder is secured.

What is claimed is:

1. A sugar packing and boxing machine comprising a main structure, a platform thereon on whichthe sugar tablets are assembled and stacked, means for shifting the stacked tablets from the platform, a transfer platform mounted for movement toward and from the first platform for receiving tablets therefrom, a carton holding device at the discharge end of the transfer platform over which a carton is adapted to be slipped, a follower movable along the transfer platform, and means for intermittently moving the follower.

2. In a device of the character described a main frame, a' platform thereon uponwhich cube sugar is adapted to be assembled and stacked in superposed layers, a transfer platform supported by the main frame,

means for transferring sugar from the first named platform to the transferring platform, means permitting movement of the transferring platform with relation to the main frame and the first named platform to separate the sugar delivered thereto with relation to the main body of sugar supported by the first named platform, and means for transferring the sugar delivered to the transferring platform into successive cartons.

3. A sugar packing and boxing machine comprising a main structure, a platform thereon on which the sugar tablets are assembled and stacked, means for shifting the stacked tablets from the platform, a transfer platform mounted for movement toward and from the first platform for receiving tablets therefrom, a carton holding device at the discharge end of the transfer platform over which a cartonis adapted to be slipped, a follower movable along the transfer platform and engageable with the sugar, and means for actuating the follower, said last means including a lever and means for adjusting the swing thereof to accord the follower predetermined movements.

4. In a device of the character described a main frame, a platform thereon upon which cube sugar is adapted tobe assembled and stacked in superposed layers, a transfer platform supported by the main frame and movable to and away from said frame, a follower slidably mounted on the first named platform engageable with the stacked sugar and movable to transfer the sugar to the transfer platform, a carton holding device on one end of the transfer platform, and a slidably mounted follower on the transfer platform engageable with the sugar transferred thereto and movable to transfer the sugar into cartons.-

5. In a device of the character described a main frame, a platform thereon upon which cube sugar is adapted to be assembled and stacked in superposed layers, a transfer platform supported by the main frame and movable to and away from said frame, a longitudinally extending guide plate on said platform, means for adjusting the position of said guide plate, a follower carried by the first named platform and slidable thereon, said follower adapted to engage the stacked sugar on the platform and to transfer it to the transfer platform, and a slidably mounted follower on the transfer platform engageable with the sugar transferred thereto and movable to push the sugar longitudinally of the platform along the guide plate mounted thereon, and a carton holding device on the end of the transfer platform adapted to receive the sugar thus moved.

6. In a device of the character described a .main frame, a platform thereon upon which cube sugar is adapted to be assembled and stacked in superposed layers, a transfer platform supported by the main frame, a ollower slidably mounted on the first named platform and engageable with the stacked sugar to transfer the sugar to the transfer platform, means permitting movement of the transfer platform with relation to the main frame to separate the sugar delivered thereto with relation to the'sugar supported on the first named platform, a carton holding device at one end of the transfer platform and a slidably mounted follower on the transfer platform engageable with the sugar supported thereby and movable to transfer the sugar into successive cartons.

7. In a device of the character described a main frame, a platform thereon upon which cube sugar is adapted to be assembled and stacked in superposed layers, a transfer platform supported by the main frame, a follower slidably mounted on the first named platform and engageable with the stacked sugar to transfer the sugar to the transfer platform, means permitting movement of the transfer platform with relation to the main frame to se arate the sugar delivered thereto with relatlon tothe sugar supported on the first named platform, a longitudinally extending guide plate on the transfer platform, means for permitting lateral adjustment of the same to determine the number of columns of sugar which may be received by the transfer platform, and means for imparting longitudinal movement to the sugar transferred to the receiving platform. a

8. In a device of the character described the combination with a platform upon which cube sugar is adapted to be assembled and stacked in superposed layers, of a transfer platform'supported adjacent the same, means on the first named platform for transferring sugar to the transferring platform, means permitting tilting movement of the transferring platform with relation to the first named platform to separate the sugar vdelivered to the transferring platform with relation to the sugar supported by the first named platform, a carton hold ng device on one end of the transfer platform, andmeans for imparting longitudinal movement to the sugar supported by the transfer platform to transfer the sugar into cartons.

9. In a device of the character a mainframe, a platform thereon upon which cube sugar is adapted to be assembled and stacked in superposed layers, a transdescribed first named platform upon the main frame to posltion it in alinemenet with the transfer-platform, and means slidably mounted on the first named platform for transferring assembled columns of sugar to the transfer platform.

l0. Ina a main frame, a platform thereon upon which cube sugar is adapted to be assembled and stacked in superposed layers, a transfer platform supported by the main frame and movable to and away from said frame, means permitting endwise movement of the first named platform upon the main frame to position it in alinement with the transfer platform, a follower slidably mounted on the first named platform for transferring assembled columns of sugar to the transfer platform, and an adjustable guide plate on the transfer platform by which the number of columns of stacked sugar transferred may be regulated.

In testimony whereof I aflix mysignature.

RICHARD LA ORDA.

device of the character described I 

